Impact of Open Science methods and practices on the economics of research and science : case studies from life, mathematical and social sciences

This report focusses on practical issues relating to the emergence of 'open science' and researchers' response to the opportunities created for collaboration and data development through innovative technology. It has been readily adopted by researchers because of pre-adaptation via many earlier changes. Future policy may be best aimed at further enabling such response rather than top-down action on assessment or funding. Additional facilitative actions by the European Commission that would enable such community response include: recognition via assessable, transitive credit for data providers; recognition of the costs of making data both open and useful, particularly the vast numbers of small datasets; and balancing domestic innovation policies with trans-national programmes that maintain collaborative, open science across borders.